The province is adding another option to Alberta’s Green Certificate Program (GCP) so students have more opportunities to learn about careers in agribusiness.

Poultry technician joins the list of programs already being offered through the GCP and funded through a partnership between Alberta Education and Agriculture and Forestry. Other courses include:

• beekeeper production technician
• cow-calf beef production technician
• dairy production technician
• equine technician
• feedlot beef production technician
• field crop production technician
• greenhouse technician
• irrigated field crop production technician
• sheep production technician
• swine production technician

“Our government is excited to expand this important program, as it provides real-life, hands-on learning for students who work on a farm or for students interested in the agriculture industry. The program helps students to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge they need for their future.”

Minister Eggen visits Ethan Meyer (16 years old), owner of Ethan’s Eggs, to announce the poultry technician option being added to Alberta’s Green Certificate Program.

The Green Certificate Program provides opportunities for students to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge they need for careers in the agricultural industry. It fosters employability skills that support the development of a skilled and educated workforce.

“This program is great for rural Alberta, our communities and our kids. It provides opportunities for youth to see training close to home and helps to develop the leaders the industry needs. Expanding this program means even more choices for students to explore career options in agriculture. We are committed to supporting families by improving growth in rural programs and the agricultural industry.”

The program was well received by the agriculture industry, but schools identified that the single largest barrier to participation in the GCP was the course fees. As a result, the province is investing up to $400,000 annually to cover the course fees for students enrolled in the program.

“As a high school student with a small business, I don’t have time to work a part-time job like my friends. It’s tough to get the same work experience credits they do, and the Green Certificate Program can help me get the credits I need to finish high school.”

“We are happy to have been involved in the creation of the poultry technician program. Developing the skills and knowledge required of the poultry sector will attract and educate youth, fostering a thriving, sustainable poultry industry in Alberta.”

“Development of the poultry technician specialization for the Green Certificate Program is important because it gives students an opportunity to get involved with the actual workings of the poultry industry. The GCP provides opportunities for students to become knowledgeable and skilled and to gain practical experience, which will make them valuable employees or farmers in the poultry sector. We look forward to having them join our industry.”

“Adding poultry technician to the Green Certificate Program fills a critical gap in the program and provides an enhanced training path for our future broiler farmers and farm technicians. We recognize the incredible efforts of those driving the development of this program and were happy to have been involved in the process.”

“Egg Farmers of Alberta endorses the Green Certificate Program, which was designed to benefit both students and the agriculture industry. Having farmers involved in the actual curriculum development helps ensure students will be gaining relevant knowledge and learning skills that are highly applicable to the associated commodity. The inclusion of the poultry technician specialization will help increase the availability of qualified farm workers in Alberta by providing high-quality training of poultry industry best practices.”

Backgrounder

• The GCP was developed by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry in 1975 as a way to address labour market needs for Alberta’s agriculture sector.
• On average, more than 750 students participate in the GCP each year.
• Like the Registered Apprenticeship Program, each of the Green Certificate specializations provides students with access to the first level of an agricultural-like apprenticeship.
• The GCP provides students with opportunities to enter a variety of agriculture-related, structured learning pathways as a part of their senior high school program and to earn a credential leading to a career in agribusiness.
• Students learn on the job, under the direction of experienced farm personnel and under the supervision of teachers.